"The scent of death, the stench of slaughter, the reek of despair…"

Chaos spread like wildfire. Blood simmered in the veins…

Yuri rose from her seat. The teacup slipped from her fingers, shattering into dozens of tiny fragments on the floor!

"The sky pirates have begun their assault?" Zuo Yuan stood slowly too, twin daggers glinting coldly in the night.

"Sky pirates?" The golden-haired girl chuckled lightly, her eyes narrowing. "If you can even call them that."

"Them? What do you mean?"

Yuri’s words sent a thick wave of unease through Zuo Yuan.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she fixed her gaze on him. "Hey. Give the order."

"…Order?"

"Right. Our contract still holds, doesn’t it? Until I break it, your will to kill decides my targets."

Zuo Yuan fell silent, watching the smiling girl. His lips trembled slightly.

A contract…?

He didn’t hesitate long. His eyes darkened, voice turning icy. "…So be it. Kill them all."

"Hmm?"

"Every enemy. Show no mercy. Erase them completely."

Resolve hardened his tone.

Yes. If this is what you crave, I’ll give you a reason to slaughter.

It was what he wanted too.

"All… enemies?"

She swept her long hair from her chest, flinging it behind her.

Golden strands swirled—then bled into inky darkness!

When her hair settled, it was pure night, devoid of any light.

Her pale red eyes drowned in blood, turning an ominous crimson.

"As you wish."

Snap!

A finger-click. The sealed door exploded into splinters.

Yuri stepped forward without pause. One step—and she stood outside.

"Maria. It’s game time. Let’s begin."

"Yes, Lord Akat," Maria bowed slightly, following.

With the door gone, muffled sounds finally broke through.

Screams. Wails. Roars…

The silent night had long since shattered.

This was no longer a lodging area. It was becoming… hell.

Blood still warm stained the hallway. Corpses lay mangled nearby.

Flames licked the walls. A passenger, fleeing her cabin, was pinned by a Carrion Eater. Half-consumed, she gasped her last breaths.

Yuri, already dead herself, drew no reaction from the beast as she approached.

It gorged greedily, filthy and grotesque!

This was what Zuo Yuan saw upon stepping out.

A brutal, nauseating sight beyond his darkest imaginings!

"Help… me…"

Her bloodied fingers twitched, straining to rise—but failed.

Ignoring Zuo Yuan’s ashen face, Yuri knelt beside the woman, barely twenty.

"Sorry. There’s no saving you."

The woman’s lips moved weakly, words lost to fading strength.

Truly beyond help—half her body devoured, yet clinging to life.

"But I can free you."

Click!

A cold rifle materialized in Yuri’s hand, pressing against the woman’s forehead.

Her clouded eyes flickered once…

Bang!

Before Zuo Yuan could speak, the bullet pierced her brain, snuffing out her last spark.

"Why?!"

His pupils shrank. He roared instinctively.

Maria blocked his lunge effortlessly.

Yuri stood calmly. Before the Carrion Eater could turn toward Zuo Yuan’s scent, she jammed the rifle into its gaping maw.

Fire erupted. Blood and flesh sprayed as its head exploded!

But headless, it still staggered upright, lurching toward Zuo Yuan.

Yuri didn’t glance back. Four shots tore it into chunks of meat.

"Why?" She finally faced him. "Why kill her? Boy, you said it yourself—slaughter every enemy."

Zuo Yuan: "…"

Right. Bitten this badly, humans only became more Carrion Eaters.

"Besides, I freed her *and* avenged her. She should thank me."

Yuri twirled her rifle, striding ahead without looking back.

"Boy, I get it—you saw your own kind die. But drop that Useless kindness. Without power to protect what matters, that feeling’s just hypocrisy."

Zuo Yuan: "…"

His fists clenched tight. No words came.

He admitted it—watching Yuri shatter that woman’s life ignited fury in his chest.

Logic later confirmed her actions were right. But the impulse… remained.

"What are you waiting for?" Yuri paused after meters, only Maria beside her. She glanced back. "Guilt can wait. These brain-rotted monsters aren’t alone. Your people are being devoured."

Zuo Yuan inhaled sharply. Daggers slid into his grip. He hurried after them.

Facing an Airship overrun by monsters? The choice was simple.

He was human.

As he’d said—he’d slaughter every last one.

"Huh. Carrion Eaters this time. But since the Airship still flies smoothly, the cockpit’s probably intact."

Bang!

Passing a cabin, Yuri muttered, firing without looking.

The feasting monster inside crumpled, its weak heart shattered.

"And the next room’s empty… so that girl Bai Ling already left? Figures…"

Yuri had long suspected Bai Ling’s true nature.

This disaster might even be her doing.

The room stood vacant now—no signs of struggle. She’d slipped away quietly.

Smart. A fight would’ve drawn attention.

"Interesting. I’m getting excited…"